engine died, doesn't turn over

[90PAcelica]

l just bought a '90 celica that doesn't run. I was told that it died while being driven, but was never looked at. I put a battery in it, but it still doesn't even turn over, but all the lights come on inside. Please help

[89CelicaGTTurbo]

when u turn the key dose the starter click. or is there any noise when u turn the key.

[90PAcelica]

There's nothing, no noise of any kind, but I'm starting to think it's a fuse, or relay of some kind. This is my first toyota, which I bought as a runner for gas mileage

[celfatic]

look for the efi relay under the hood. Maybe this could be your problem. This can happen when people give eachother a jump with the jumpers.

[89CelicaGTTurbo]

check to see if there is any power going to the starter. fueses and realys are also any easy fix, even if those dont work your starter should still crank.

[90PAcelica]

I've been playing with the connections, and for some reason, it's now turning over, but still won't fire. I don't know if what I did helped, or if it's because of it sitting since December, but I would like to look at the EFI relay, but I'm unsure of how to test it. If you could help me with that, I would be greatful. I forgot to mention, it's a celica GT with the 2.2.

[nodrogkam]

just thinking maybe spark plugs are shot. hows the oil and all that jazz in the car?

[90PAcelica]

Forgot to mention, most of the time when I try to start it, it'll turn over, but sometimes, it does absolutely nothing, but when I try again, it turns over. Could a starter solenoid cause these symptoms?

[90PAcelica]

don't mean to be a pain, but something else to add. At times when it turns over, it'll stop, than when I turn the key to the off position, and than back again, it'll turn over again.

[89CelicaGTTurbo]

Damn thats strange. is your car a 5spd or auto, also check voltage on the battery. now if its a 5spd maybe the clutch safety switch is messed up. also check it see if you're getting any codes codes if you dont know how to do that just post it. about testing the relay, i actually dont know, i can suggest u go to the junk yard and pull one fron another toyota, there all usually the same just make sure the codes on your efi relay matches the other ones.

[90PAcelica]

I put a new battery in it. If the safety switch was bad, it wouldn't turn over, right? When it does turn over, it doesn't fire. I thought the starter was shot, so I put a new one in it today, but that didn't help. This really has me stumped. I'm gonna take a look at the plugs, and cap next, but that still wouldn't explain the symptoms.

[90PAcelica]

I spent several hours taking things apart to get to the timing belt, and I still have work to do, because the crankshaft bolt is being stuborn. I actually started to split the craftsman socket that I was using. I came across two things that concern me. First, when I rotate the crankshaft, there's always one spot that hangs up for some reason. Second, while trying to set the timing, the rotor doesn't move with the crankshaft. The car's beat up a little, but worth putting money into. I don't want to dump lots of money into the current engine, because of high miles, but I would be willing to put money into another 2.2, if there not too expensive. Any suggestions into what may be going on?

[89CelicaGTTurbo]

ok so this tells me one thing. first off it is normal for the crank to hang up at certain parts because as you turn it it builds up pressure in the cylinders and this cause's the hang up, this is normal, but you'll never properly tighten the bolt if the crank keeps turning. second as you turn the crank the rotor should move. if it isnt then there is something wrong with the distributor. if you can take off the valve cover and see if the distributor gear is ok and in fact is properlly connected to the camshaft. if everything looks ok from the outside then there is something wrong with the distributor's internals. it could be a broken shaft or something. this can turn out to be an expensive part so try you local junk yard if possible (with warrenty). let us know what happens

[90PAcelica]

I haven't finished taking things apart yet, but if the timing belt was stripped, or broken, would that prevent the rotor from spinning?

[90PAcelica]

I was talking to someone at work about the car, and he tells me that the crankshaft hanging up is probably due to rust build up around one of the pistons, because of it sitting for a while. I don't really know, but it makes sense, because after rotating it a few times, it wasn't hanging up as much. Toyotas are new to me, but it's been interesting. I've been looking into buying an imppact wrench to break that damned crankshaft bolt loose. I did have another question. The outer ring on the crankshaft pulley started coming loose, so I removed it, but now I'm not sure exactly where it goes, to match the timing marks. I've been told that there's another mark on the inner pulley, but I don't see it. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for though. Could someone help with this?